Obsidian exchange in prehistoric Baja California: an initial look at regional exchange networks in the peninsula

Abstract:

Very few studies focus their attention on obsidian artifacts from the Late Holocene in Baja California. The published data from San Quintín, El Rosario, Guerrero Negro, Isla Cedros, Bahía de Concepcion, San Borja, Bahía de Los Angeles, and San Ignacio demonstrate valuable information pertaining to sourcing and addressing possible exchange routes. In a peninsular context, obsidian appears restricted in small quantities throughout specific locations. The distribution of obsidian can be partially explained using two models that focus on the distance to the primary obsidian source, the distance to the next nearest obsidian source, and population density. The rich ethnohistoric record, ethnographic record, and rock art of Baja California provide sufficient contextual information to develop an alternative explanation using a landscape framework for obsidian distributions that do not fit the model. Both perspectives paint a geographical picture of obsidian exchange routes in the Late Holocene. Obsidian exchange in Baja California interconnects and crosses both cultural and ethno-linguistic boundaries to establish a coherent social mechanism through reciprocity. The development of alternative interpretations encourages the multifaceted social and cultural dimensions of small-scale societies often ignored within the hunter-gatherer literature.

Search DSpace

My Account

RSS Feeds

Works in CSUN ScholarWorks are made available exclusively for educational purposes such as research or instruction. Literary rights, including copyright for published works held by the creator(s) or their heirs, or other third parties may apply. All rights are reserved unless otherwise indicated by the copyright owner(s).